check engine TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2012 N280 / 5.G Owner's Guide

526 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER_U
Engine coolantThe coolant level is sati sfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
(P. 627)
CTH43AS108
■ Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.

527
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER_U
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign
objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have y our vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor stra ight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.

528 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER_U
Brake fluid■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
“MAX” line
“MIN” line
■ Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item.
■ Refilling brake fluid
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch off.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off.
Depress the brake pedal more than 40 times.
Remove the reservoir cap by ha nd. Add brake fluid up to the
“MAX” line.
If you do not follow the procedure above, the reservoir may over-
flow.
CTH43AS120
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemClean funnel
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

555
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER_U
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch off.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off.
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment
Push the tab in and lift the lid
off.
Driver’s side instrument panel Remove the lid.STEP 1
STEP 2
CTH43AS123
CTH43AS028

565
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER_U
Light bulbs
You may replace the following bulbs yourself. The difficulty level of
replacement varies depending on the bulb. If necessary bulb
replacement seems difficult to perfor m, contact your Toyota dealer.
For more information about replacing other light bulbs, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■ Preparing for light bulb replacement
Check the wattage of the light bulb to be replaced. ( P. 644)
■ Removing the engine compartment cover
P. 521
■ Front bulb locations
CTH43AS140
Parking light
and front side
marker light
Fog light Headlight high beam Headlight low beam
Front turn signal light and
daytime running light

5
When trouble arises
595
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
Follow the correction procedures. (vehicles with a smart key system)
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light goes off.
Interior
buzzerExterior
buzzerWarning
lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Once Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the electronic
key is not present when the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch is pressed Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key*.
Once3 times
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that a door other
than the driver’s door has
been opened and closed with
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other
than off and the electronic
key has been taken out of
the detection area Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key.
Once3 times
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the driver’s
door has been opened and
closed with the shift lever in
P, the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch in any mode
other than off and the elec-
tronic key has been taken out
of the detection area Turn the
“ENGINE
START
STOP” switch
off or confirm
the location of
the electronic
key.

5
When trouble arises
597
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
■
SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, side and curtain shield airbag sensors, curtain shield airbag sen-
sors, floor sensor, driver's seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occupant
classification system, SRS airbag on-off indicator, roll sensing of curtain
shield airbags off indicator, front passenger's seat belt buckle switch, seat
belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. ( P. 121)
■ Key reminder buzzer (vehicl es without a smart key system)
The buzzer indicates that the key has not been removed with the engine off
and the driver’s door opened.
■ Open moon roof reminder buzzer (if equipped)
The buzzer indicates that the moon roof is not fully closed with the engine off
and the driver’s door opened.
■ Front passenger detection sensor, passenger seat belt reminder and
warning buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger
detection sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning
buzzer to sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passen-
ger, and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.

5
When trouble arises
613
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off the
jack, leading to death or serious injury.
●
Do not use the tire jack for any pu
rpose other than replacing tires or
installing and removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes wi th this vehicle for replacing a flat
tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for
replacing tires on this vehicle.
●Always check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the
jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is inside.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a hei ght greater than that required to
replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
Vehicles with Automatic running boards
● Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in serious
injury:
•
When jacking up the vehicle, always turn the Automatic running
boards switch off.
•When jacking up the vehicle, do not use an Automatic running
board as a jack point. The Automatic running board may break,
causing injuries.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one
working on or near the vehicle may be injured.

5
When trouble arises
627
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam:
Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam:
Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating:
Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument panel) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and call your Toyota dealer. After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radi-
ator) for any leaks.
If the engine compartment
cover needs to be removed.
( P. 521)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
CTH52AS043
STEP 4

640 6-1. Specifications
4RUNNER_U
Electrical system
Transfer (4WD models)
*: Your Toyota vehicle is filled with “Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear oil
LF” at the factory. Use Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Transfer
Gear oil LF” or an equivalent of matching quality to satisfy the above
specification. Please contact your Toyota dealer for further details.
Battery
Open voltage* at
68 F (20 C):12.6  12.8 V Fully charged
12.2  12.4 V Half charged
11 . 8  12.0 V Discharged
(
*: Voltage checked 20 minutes after the
engine and all the lights are turned off.)
Charging rates5 A max.
Oil capacity
Part-time 4WD models
1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.)
Full-time 4WD models
1.5 qt. (1.4 L, 1.2 Imp. qt.)
Oil type*Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF or
equivalent
Recommended oil viscositySAE 75W